There are universal human emotions we all can relate to, and the need to heal is one of our most powerful and empathetic desires. Whether you need physical, emotional, or spiritual healing, there’s no one immune from needing to heal at one point in their lives or another.
There’s a large awareness today that people need to de-stress and lower their anxiety, which can be hard with the constant barrage of challenges that surround us. I think lowering stress is another form of healing, so I wanted to talk about healing colors and how surrounding yourself and your loved one with soothing color combinations can help the healing process in all its forms.
As a color expert, I may be more aware than anyone of the power that colors have to impact us. For anyone needing healing, colors are yet another tool to help you realign yourself to move forward.
What’s the Philosophy Behind Healing Colors?
Cultures worldwide have used color throughout history to help augment the state of mind and for healing purposes. Colors can profoundly impact our emotions, thoughts, and overall well-being. The concept of healing colors is rooted in the idea that different hues can influence our mental and physical states.
While every culture has its way of explaining it, the basic idea is this: each color is thought to emit a specific energy or vibration that can affect emotions, mood, and even our physical health. By using these colors intentionally, whether through clothing, art, interior design, or visualizations, people can seek to restore balance. I’m a believer in all of this. As I have mentioned many times, different colors on the color spectrum will elicit different emotional responses, so why wouldn’t color have the power to consciously and unconsciously help someone heal?
What Are Some Go-To Colors for Healing?
Lavender: Lavender may be my favorite color for creating a healing, soothing, stress-free atmosphere. As it blends purple and white, lavender is often associated with tranquility and peace. Lavender is perfect for reducing anxiety and promoting relaxation, making it an excellent choice for spaces where one seeks solace, like bedrooms. The gentle nature of lavender encourages introspection and emotional healing. I find people like lavender and other soft purple colors in places where they like to process their feelings.
Soft Sunny Yellow: Where lavender is a color of soothing relaxation, yellow is a healing color with a slight amount of energy. Sunny yellows are colors of happiness and optimism, as they can uplift our spirits and stimulate positive mental activity. Yellow can encourage creativity and can help combat feelings of sadness and depression. It’s essential to balance yellow with other colors to avoid overstimulation, as too much brightness can lead to feelings of anxiety or overstimulation. So, a touch of sunny yellow, such as an accent wall in a bedroom or kitchen, can brighten the mood, which is part of the healing process!
Shades of Green: Greens are the all-time, most eternal, earth-derived colors we can use. Greens are great for healing because of all their attributes; they represent regrowth and renewal, which are the essence of what’s needed for healing. Greens mirror the vitality and harmony in the natural landscapes around us, so people find solace in their gardens, take nature walks, or surround themselves with biophilic design!
Pinks and Peaches: Muted pinks and peach colors have soothing qualities that help to de-stress our lives. These soft, warm hues evoke feelings of comfort, tenderness, and love, promoting emotional balance and relaxation. Muted pinks are associated with nurturing and self-care. They help ease anxiety and create a sense of security and compassion for oneself and others. Peach tones, blending the warmth of orange with the calmness of pink, offer a sense of optimism and lightness that can lift the spirit and alleviate tension. Just like yellow, you don’t want to overdo it with these two colors, but they are endearing and hopeful choices that can help the healing process move forward.
When and How to Use These Colors
As a color specialist, I like suggesting colors, like a doctor prescribes medicine. And just as any physician would tell you, you don’t want to get to a place of extreme stress, duress, or sickness before addressing the problem. While life always throws us unforeseen challenges, you can use healing colors to lower stress anytime!
You don’t need to start with a major bedroom, bathroom, or reading room overhaul; you can simply add items like blankets, artwork, pillows, small furniture, or accessories to your spaces to add layers of comfort and healing elements. I suggest you add some healing colors here and there and see how they impact your mood and those around you. I bet you’ll be surprised at how effective they are!
Please share your stories of healing and how colors, art, decor, etc., helped you de-stress and heal when you needed it most. We can all use more harmony and balance in our lives, so let’s help each other discover it!